Regenerator furnace



Dc. 3.1, 1940. T, A CHAMBERS ETAL 2,226,922

` REGENERATOR FURNACE Filed sept. 1a, 1959 5 sheets-sheet 1 Y INVENTORS ATTORNEY.

Filed Sept. 18, 1939 5 SheetS-Sheet 3 a LS INVENTOR5 T. A. cHAMBERs TAL 2,226,922A

REGENERATORv FURNACE Filed Sepc.l 18, 1939 s' sheets-shed 4 Dec. 31, 1940. i T. A. CHAMBERS lErm.

REGENERATOR FURNACE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lllllllllrl.

\\Il Ip lin' l [nu l INVENTOR5 CHE-57525 DAV/5;

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Filed Sept. 18, 1939 Patented Dec.l 1.31',4 1940 i REGENERATOR FURNACE Thomas A. chambers, chester E. nava, apa Aiwin F. Franz, Norristown, and John T. Whiting,

Radnor, Pa.

Application september 1s, 1939, serial No. 295,422

7 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to furnace constructions and is concerned primarily with furnaces of the regenerating type which are employed in the steel industry.

A regenerating furnace of the type which is intended to be iimproved by this invention ordinarily includes a hearth with which communicates. at each end, a'regenerating structure. The

mode of operation of one of these furnaces may 10 be briefly outlined by noting that the materials to be .treated by the furnace are. of course, lcharged into the hearth. Fuel, in the form of oil, is introduced into the hearth, firstat one c end and then at the other, depending on which generator is at that time providing the hot air which is combined with the fuel for the combustion. The hot air. comes in from the regenerator at one end, and is mixed with the atpmized ou.'

to eii'ect the combustion. The hot gases of combustionare discharged through the regenerator at the other end. This regenerator includes what is known as a checkerwork construction which absorbs a large amount of the heat from the gases as it passes therethrough.

After operation in this direction for a predetermined period, say fifteen minutes, the direction of operation is reversed. Fuel is now introduced from the opposite end, `and the regenerator at this same end is, employed as the means for in-y 0 troducing thevhot air. As the air passes through this regenerator it takes heat from the checkerwork construction, so that at the time of passing into the hearth, where it mixes with the atomized fuel oil, it is at a high temperature. Of course,

35 the hot gases are discharged through the regenerator at the opposite end.

At the present time considerable dimculty has been experienced in obtaining the desired degree of efilciencyin fuel consumption, due, it is be- 40 lieved, largely to the fact that the hot air is not introduced into thehearth at a sufiiciently high pressure to provide required blast effects.

'Accordingly this invention has in view. as an important object. the 'provision of a regenerating 45 furnaceof the character above lnoted which inair as it passes from the regenerator into the lheaiith so that the air enters the hearth as a las I0 In carrying out this idea in a practical emerator.

cross section .being disposed immediately adjacent to the fuel jinlet. with the wider cross section communicating with the regenerator. This funnel-shaped structure takes the hot air from p the regenerator, and due to the narrowing cross 6 section pressure is built up thereon so that at thezone' where the air is mixed with the incoming fuel it'attains the proportions of a blast, whereby the actual combustion of the fuel is more evenly spread over the hearth area with accom- 10 panying results in the form of improved eiliciencyl Particular features and advantages of the invention are associated with the manner in which this funnel-shaped structure is incorporated in l5 the furnace.

With the now known regenerating furnaces, the regenerators do not operate with the maximum degree of eiiiciency -because of the fact that the hot gases which are exhausted from the iurnace travel over one route or pathway, through the checkerwork, while the incoming air passes over a different route or pathway in the regen- Thus the checkerwork construction oi'A the regenerator does not function to efficiently transfer the heat from the exhaust gases to the incoming air.

Another highly important object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a regenerator furnace of the character above noted in which the regenerators are soydesigned that the incoming air passes over exactly the same pathway through the checkerwork structure of the regenerator as would the hot gases which were exhausted from the furnace through the regenerator. Thus 'every portion of the checkerwork construction which has been subject to the effectv of the hot exhaust gases is subject to the effect of the incoming air to the same degree.

Particular objects and features of the invention 40 lare associated with the provision of a regenerator' which is constructed to carry out this principle.

'I'he invention, therefore, comprises a, regenerating furnace consisting of a hearth with an improved regenerator communicating with the hearth at each end thereof. Structure of varying cross section is included in the furnace at the ioinder of each regenerator to the hearth to build up pressure on air asl it comes from the regenerator to the hearth to convert the air into a blast. Each o f the regenerators is also soA constructed and designed" that incoming air passes over exactly the same route or pathway through the checkerwork as have the hot gases in being exhausted from the furnace. l

ture.

l 2 Y J Fora full and more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the fol' lowing description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure la is a portion of a plan view taken as sections through a furnace on two difierent horizontal planes; the sectional showing of Figure la being taken about on the planes represented by the lines I-I of Figure 2, Y

Figurevlb is a view complemental to Figure 1a l.,ciifnpleting the plan view on the planes represented by the lines .I-I of Figure 2,

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the hearth taken about on the plane represented by the line 2-2 of Figure 1a,

Figure 3 is a side view taken as a sectional showing on the planes represented by the lines 3-3 of Figures 1a and 1b,v

, Figure 4 is atransverse vertical section through the hearth taken about on the plane represented by the line 4--4 of Figure la, t

Figure 5 is a vertical section through one of the regenerators taken abouton the plane represented by the line 5 5 of Figure 1b,

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view somewhat similar to Figure 3, through a. portion of one ofthe regenerators. developing the checkerwork' structure thereof, and A i Figure 'l is an enlarged detailed view in perspective of a portion of the checkerworlrV struc- Referringv now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts,

the construction comprising the hearth of the furnace is referred to in its entirety by the ref-y erence character H. and is shown more particularly in Figures la,` 2. at the left-hand end of Figure 3, and Figure 4.

The hearth H comprises a bottom wall It (see Figures 2 and 4) which is properly supported from suitable piers (not illustrated) and which bottom wall terminates at each end in upwardly inclined portions II. This bottom wall Il. as well as the inclined portions II, is covered by a suitable refractory, as shown at I2. .Upstanding from the bottom wall Il is an inclined front wall I3 (see Figures 1a, 3 'and 4), This inclined wall I3 extends outwardly centrally of the hearth, but gradually blendi in with the end structures of the hearth by the'angularly disposed walls shown at I4 in Figure 1a.

Also upstanding from the bottom wall I! is a rear or inner wall I! which .is formed with a plurality of charging openings It. It is through these openings I6 that the materials which are lto be treated by the furnace are charted. The

lco

so-called charging surface of the furnace is represented somewhat atically at i1 in Fig. 3, and indicates the surface over which vehicles containing the materials may travel to charge the materials through the openings I4.

Suitable closure means for the openings II are represented somewhat diagrammatically at] in .Figure4.

'vI4-andtherearwaii Il,areconnectedbyan.

The front wall I3, together with the portions arched roof; as shown at I2. -This roof Il :also

extends over' the end structures of. the hearth.

2,andeach oiwhichisreferrcd to vin its .entiretyby the reference character E.

the wsu 'n 4oi' the enc structure aby'an inclined assauts y opening atv 2l through which fuel is introduced into the hearth. This end wail I9 upstands from l a bottom wall 2i', there being a structure presenting an inclined surface at 22 that connects the bottom wall 2I with theend wall is. 5 The end structure E also includes a front wall 2l (see Figures 1a and 3) and a rear wall structure 24 that is one wall of one of theregenerators to be hereinafter described. This wall v24 is s formed with openings at 25 that communicate Vwith their respective regenerator S,

Now referring to Figure 2, each of the end structures E includesan inner wall' 26 which is of a height appreciably less than the end wall I9. An inclined roof or arch is referred to in its entirety'by the reference character 21, and is shown as connecting'this innerwall 26. with a continuationn'of the inclined portion II of the hearth bottom.' This arch ,2'Ifpreferably takes the form of a plurality `of interlocking refractory 20 brick units 22 thatare supported by I beam supports shown at 3l. It will be noted that at the point where the arch 2l joins the hearth'bottom .at 2l there is just a narrow space between the extremity of 25 the arch and theend wall I9. Thus, a passage of varyinl crm section ygenerally similar to a funnel is provided in the end construction E.

Referring to Figure 1a, immediately above the .Y

y continuation 2l of the hearth bottom, the inner 30V I wail Il, and the front wall 23, the hearth carries,

a Venturi-like structure denned by waist walls 3|, which join' at each side with inclined walls 22 and 38. The inclined walls 22ioin in with the front wall 23 and rear wall 24 of/theend 35 structures E. respectively, while the walls I3 join in with the rear wall` Il and inclinedportions I4 of the front wall.

It will be noted that the fuel is introduced through the opening 2l into a chamber that is defined by the end wall I9, front wall 23, rear 'wall 24, and inclined walls 32, and the roof I8 The regenerators which communicate with the' 50 v hearth H at each end are of'duplicate construction, and only one of them needs to be here def scribed for the purpose of this specification. Each of the regenerators is referred' to in its entirety by the reference character R. (Figures la and 1b) and each is shown' as comprising a two tunnel unit .34, and a three tunnel unit v that are constructed in spaced relationship, as shown at 38. -The two, tunnel unit 34 is shown as being defined by an outer wall 31 that is connected with the end wall I8 of the corresponding' end structure E by an inclined'wali ll; an inner.

wall Il beingjoined with'the rear wall 24 of the end structure E between theopenings 25 by an inclined wall 4|,and a roof or arch," (see Fisure 3). v I' Intermediate the walls 3l and isis a partition structure-'42 whichdivides this .portion of the regenerator' Ainto a .two tunnel construction. Similarly, the three tunnel unit 35 -of the regenerator l?. comprises wall 42 that is Joined to the rear wall. 24 of the'e'nd structure E )actu/ecn the' openings 2s by the slightly inclined portion 44; another wall-4i that is connected. to

wall 46, and a roof or arch corresponding to the roof or arch 4I (Figure 3).

- Arranged between the walls 43 and 45 are par; tition structures 41 and 48, whichddivide this 5 portion of the regenerator into the three tunnel construction.

At thel ends removed from the joinder with the hearth the tunnel units 34 and 35 are provided with end walls 49.

10 Eachof the tunnels of the tunnel units 34 and 35 is provided with a checkerwork construction which is referred to in its entirety by the reference character C (see Figures 6 and '7) and which is represented diagrammatically in Figure 3.

' These checkerwork constructions have what are, in effect, inclined bottom openings dened by supporting elements 5B that are spaced above .the bottom 5l of the regenerator.

- Extending rearwardly of the end walls 4S, and

spaced from the bottom 5l, are walls 52, and

partitions 53 extending from the walls 52to the bottom wall 5i dene conduits 54 (see Figure 5) that communicate with a flue F through the medium-of a manifold 55 (see Figure 1h), This flue F is in turn in communication with a stack 5E. Means for introducing air under pressure into each of the conduits 54 are represented in Figure 1b somewhat diagrammatically at 5T and 5d, respectively.

3o The particular design of the checkerworlr con-l struction C and the relationship to the wall structure ofthe generator housing the same is particuiarly important. It vwill be noted that there is a wall presenting an inclined surface 59 that 'extends from the wall 24 immediately beneath each opening liti to a point adjacent the bottom wall 5|?, which latter point represents the lowermost point of the checkerwork.

As clearly brought out in Figure 6, the checker- 40 Work structure C has an inclined uppersuriace at do which corresponds in a manner to the :in-1

clined wall at the bottom providedl 'by the sup ports 5d. Immediately' above the ,inclined part lill the roof di takes a slight downward incline to the upper edge of the opening 25, as shown at tl.

The checkerwork construction C, in each of the tunnels of the units 34 and 35, comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending members 62 do that are preferably made from a brick material having good heat absorption qualities, and 'which are maintained spaced apart from similar longitudinally extending members immediately thereabove by transversely extending members 63 that are also spaced apart. I

The operation of the above described furnace may be briey described by first noting that materials are charged into the hearth H through the openings I6. Upon starting the furnace into 50 operation, air under pressure comes from the means represented at 5l and 58 of the respective regenerator, passes through the conduits 54 and the checkerwork structure C, through the openings 25 tothe interior of the end structures 65 E. From the latter the air passes upwardly to the `chamber defined by the end wall i9. outer wall 23, rear wall 24, inclined surfaces 32,.and top I 8, and as the air enters into this chamber its velocity is increased due to the inclined construction 70 of the arch 21.- Fuel is also introduced into this chamber through the opening 20.

. The mixture of air and fuel is then forced past the waist walls 3|, into the hearth, wherecombustion takes place. `'Ihe hot gases which are i 1| generated by combustion are exhausted through the regenerator at the opposite end. In the exhausting of these gases they pass through the openings 25, and through the checkerwork structure C of the tunnel units 36 and 35 oi.' theregenerator at that end of the furnace. During 5 this passage through the checkerwork structure C the latter absorbsheat from thegases. These gases dually pass through the conduits 54. and

iue F to the stack 56.

It will be noted that upon rst being introduced 1'0 into the regenerator the gases encounter the inclined surface of the checkerwork structure C. Thus a full cross sectional area of thecheckerwork construction such as defined by this inclined surface 60 is eiective to have the hot air 15 and gases pass therethrough, and the passage of the gases is, in no sense of the word, localized. f v

After the furnace has been operated in this direction for a predetermined period, for example,y 20 fifteen minutes, the direction of operation is'reversed. Communication to the stack 56 of the flue F will be cut 0E at the regenerator through which the gases were being exhausted, and air will now be supplied through the conduits 5t to g5 v kerworlr structure, and passes through the openings 25 into the end structures E under condition of high temperature. Thishigh'temperature 3g is, oi course, accompanied by an increase in pressure in the air which cooperates with the inclined arch 21er the end structure to build up pressure and velocity of the air as it enters into the chamber, where it mixeswith the fuel oil.

While a preferred speciic embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth it ,is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of gg.

these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

We claim: 4 1. In a regenerating furnace, a hearth compris- 5@ Aing a main body portionr denedl by top, bottom,

front and rear walls, an end structure communicating with the main body portion at each end, each of said end structures comprising an end wall, an inner wall, front and rear walls, 55 the end wall of each of said end structures being formed with a fuel inlet communicating with the main body portion of the hearth, the inner wall of each structure carrying an inclined arch, said iront and rear walls of the end structure converg- 6o ing toward saidfuel inlet and cooperating with said arch to provide' a varying cross sectional area in the end structure with the smaller cross sectional area adjacent to said fuel inlet, and means for introducing a forced draft of air into said lend structure beneath said arch.

, 2. In a regenerating furnace, a hearth comprising a main body portion dened by top, bottom, front and rear walls. anl end structure com- 1 A I municating with the main body portion at each end, each of said end structures comprising an end wall, an inner wall,l front and rear walls, the 1 end wall of each of saidy end structures being formed with a fuel inlet -communicating with vthe main body portion or the hearth, the inner said front and rear walls of the end structure converging toward said fuel inlet and vcooperating with said arch to provide a varying cross sectional area i'n the -end structure with the smaller cross sectional area adjacent to said fuel inlet, and means carried bythe rear wall of each of said end structures for introducing a forced draft of airinto the respective end structure beneath said arch.

3. Ina regenerating furnace of the character described,V a regenerator including a tunnel unit housing a'. heat transfer checkerwork structure, means for introducing exhausting gases to said checkerwork structure, said checkerwork structure presenting an 'inclined top surface meeting said exhaust gases, said checkerwork structure' also having a correspondingly inclined surface at the bottom that is spaced and offset from said rst mentioned inclined surface by the depth of the checkerworktructure, said checkerwork including an inclined front surface connecting said top and bottom surfaces and means for introducing a. forced draft of air into said checkerworit structure along said inclined bottom surface.

4,' In a regenerating furnace of the character described, aregenerator including a tunnel unit defined by top and bottom walls, side walls, and inner and outer end walls, said inner end wall being formed with an opening adjacent the top which is adapted to `have exhaust gases nass thereinto, said outer end wall having an a at the bottom through which a forced draft of at the bottom having one end disposed above the opening in the outer end wall with the other end slightly spaced from the bottom.

5. In a regenerating furnace, a hearth comw prising a main body portion dened by top, loot tom, front and rear walls, anend structure communicating withthe main body portieri ateach end, each oi said end structures comprising an end wall, an inner wail. front and rear the end wall of each of said end structures beine formed with a fuel inlet communicating with the main body portion of the hearth, the inner l, r Y l escasas wall of each structure carrying an inclined arch, of each structure carrying an inclined arch pro' vlding a f -1 cross sectional ar in the Aend structure with the smaller cross sectional aretz.v adjacent to said fuel inlet, a regenerate: adjant the rear wail of each end structure. said rear wall being formed with an opening estab com-` munication between the said end structure and said regenerator, a heat transfer checkerwork structure in'each of said regenerators. saidcheck erwork structure presenting' an inclined surface to said opening in the said rear wall. and mns for introducing a forceddrait of air into said regenen-atar beneath said checkerwork structure. said checkerwork structure presenting an inclined face corresponding to said flrs't mentioned in-V clined face. l

Inca regenerating furnace of the character described, a hearth comprising a main m 'tionwitli an end structure at each end, each of `said end structures including a wall formed with a fuel inlet. a 'regenerator adjacent each end structure. means for establishing counication between each regenerate: and its respective-end structure, said endv structure haringen inclined wall de an 'arch interposed tween said communicating means and said fuelinlet, a ht ter checkerwork structure in each of said re-a generators, said checkerwork structure havin an inclined face at the tor,v and a correspon vez# inclined face at the. bottom, said inclined face at the top being disposed adjacent said communieating means, and means for introducing a forced draft of air into the checkerworh structure beneath said inclined face at the bottom.

7. In a regenerating furnace of the character described. a regenerator-including a tunnel t housing a heat transfer checkerwor's m1 said checkerwork structure incluv it an inlet port for introducing exhaust gases into the check erwork structure at the top over a wide area of the checherworix, said checkerwork ha :t a ton surface that is inclined to a n to seid inlet port and another inletv at the bottom forinti'c ducing a draft of forced air over a. cori' "u inaly wide area of the checkerworir struc, s f' checkerwork structure having an inclined lect surface that is offset from said inclined ton sur face-and guide means between mid top and bottom'inciined surfaces for controilins the travel 

